Commentary on War

As government representatives and news analysts continue discussions of involving the US in various international disputes, particularly Syria, it might be appropriate to consider some of the purposes of war and our experience with the various wars, in which we have engaged.

The reason for this consideration is that wars are expensive in terms of property and lives lost. As with any other action, we need to consider whether the potential gains will be worth the losses. Such considerations are always subjective, but should be made as objective as possible. I have taken the view that gains must be specific for the population as a whole, rather than any small group or government leadership.

With that preliminary consideration, we can take a look at the major wars which have involved our population.

Revolutionary War
     Desire of the Population: Release from perceived unfair taxation and desire for independence (freedom).
     Justification; Yes

War of 1812
     Desire of the Population: Maintain freedom. Extension of the Revolutionary War
     Justification: Yes:

Mexican War
     Desire of the Population: Freedom from Mexican control
     Justification: Yes

Civil War
     Desire of the Population: Mixed. North: Maintain Union and force cotton producers to sell to northern mills. South: Economic freedom to sell cotton wherever desired.
     Justification: Yes

Spanish-American War
     Desire of the Population: Minimal with respect to freeing Cuba and other Spanish controlled territories unrelated to America.
     Justification: No

World War I
     Desire of the Population: Emotional, unrelated to a self-interest.
     Justification: No

World War II
     Desire of the Population: Defense, after attack by Japan
     Justification: Yes

Korean War
     Desire of the Population: Neutral. Government forcing "control foreign communism"
     Justification: No

Vietnam War
     Desire of the Population: Neutral. Government forcing "control foreign communism"
     Justification: No

Iraq War
     Desire of the Population: Neutral. Government forcing "establish foreign democracy"
     Justification: No

Afghanistan War.
     Desire of the Population: Neutral. Government forcing "establish foreign democracy"
     Justification: No

  Of the 11 major wars, which have involved our population, I have judged 6 to have been unjustified based on a perceived specific net gain to the population as compared to loss of life and property. This is undoubtedly arguable, and others would likely have a completely different judgment. However, I still maintain the major point that any war should be able to demonstrate a net gain of advantage for the population involved. If no net gain can be anticipated prior to involvement in the war, or preludes such as skirmish, conflict, economic support, etc., then it is obvious that the correct course of action should be a nonstarter.
     As we consider potential involvements in any controversy, such as the now existing possibilities with North Korea, Iran, Syria, and perhaps several others, we need to concern ourselves with what we would really gain.